Keep Track of Accomplishments at Work

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I agree with Jennifer. I am also an admin staff who slog hard for the management for more than 12 years.. and then, they told me my salary ceiling reached the max.
I am upset and wonder if i can get another admin job paying me more...
Tim advise of keeping a folder of achievements / praises / Thank you will indeed come in handy.
Often, we ourselves (admin) belittle our contributions to the company as we do all backend work, make things better but not really those huge accomplishment of increase sales, huge savings etc. That's why it is hard for us to list those accomplishment. At the end of the day, without admin support, will the organiseation run so smoothly?
Thanks Tim for the wonderful tips.

DJN 5:04AM April 23, 2011

Also your annual reviews are a great source. Usually you have your commitments, areas for improvement and accomplishments listed.

Kristen Fife of WA 2:26PM April 07, 2011

It's not often that when I read an article on careers, job searches, etc., that within the first few paragraphs my job/career is mentioned. I am an Administrative Assistant and have been unemployed for a little over a year now; laid-off due to restructuring and reorganization. When I saw the title of Mr. Tyrell-Smith's article, I had to read it.
I truly thought that my "accomplishments" were just something I kept for myself. I never really thought that during my job search they would play such an integral part of the whole job search process. But what I really appreciated was FINALLY, someone recognizing the support staff for any company. Too often, we are the ones who get overlooked for the roles we play in maintaining "order" for our senior managers. Don't get me wrong...my last company at one time did treat me with dignity and respect. But when the tables turned and we lost most of our manufacturing to the "West", little people like me were just a number and in my case, a position that was expendable.
What really hurt the most was that not once did any of the senior staff I worked for ever remembered my birthday, when I clearly put it on the same birthday list that was distributed internally on a quarterly basis. And for Administrative Professionals' Day???....Forget it! Not one card, not one flower...not even one, 'Hey, thanks for the wonderful job you do!' But then again...that's just corporate America I guess. So, in closing, thank you Tim, for recognizing that "WE" are the forgotten backbone for most, if not all upper management.

Jennifer of NJ 12:34PM April 07, 2011

It's great advice to track your accomplishments on an on-going basis. I'd give the same advice for networking. It's one thing to make a contact, connect with them on LinkedIn and forget about them. Next time you are looking for a new job, it will be hard to reconnect if you haven't kept in touch. It is easy to develop a reputatation for only contacting people when you need them. Tracking your accomplishments and maintaining your network should be part of a full-time career management effort.
Lew Sauder, Author, Consulting 101: 101 Tips For Success in Consulting

Lew Sauder of IL 11:29AM April 06, 2011

Tim,
We used to call these "Attaboys".
Good stuff - thanks.

David Lucas of PA 10:44PM April 05, 2011

Tim,
Terrific post - I agree with everything you say!
I would also add that tracking accomplishments is not only useful when considering a career change, it is a very effective way of preparing for a performance review.
I often say: "If you aren't keeping track of what you do, who is??"
Everyone needs to track what they do. And if not online, just by keeping a simple spreadsheet. Also, I believe there is nothing too small to note...adding value to your company comes in many different ways. Don't leave anything out - it's your document. You can cherry pick when it's time to update your CV / LinkedIn, etc.

Lori Dermer 4:30PM April 05, 2011